Five pages that show the equal sign as the same value on both sides, within 10. Every problem has an equation and two tracks: the top train is the left side, the bottom train is the right side, one car for each counter. Both trains start at the engine, so when the sides are equal the trains end at the same place. Page 1 gives the cars: students color each part in its own color and write how many cars each train has. Page 2 gives empty tracks: students color one car for each counter. Page 3 has subtraction: cross out the cars that leave, then count the cars left. Page 4 has a missing number: add cars to the shorter train until it is as long as the other, then write how many you added. Page 5 shows two colored trains: students count each color and write the equation. Each page starts with a worked example, and the equations include ones like 5 = 2 + 3 with the total on the left.
Build the first example with connecting cubes: a train of 3 red and 2 blue next to a train of 4 green and 1 yellow. Put them side by side and ask: are they the same length? Then read the equation together and point to the equal sign: it means both sides are the same. Keep the cubes out while students work; they can build any train they are unsure of.
Make two trains with toy cars, blocks or spoons: 4 and 1 in one row, 2 and 3 in another. Ask your child whether the two rows are the same and how they know. Then say an equation like 6 = 4 + 2 and ask them to build it.
This pack supports the following Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:
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A 5-page kindergarten equal sign pack within 10. Each side of an equation is a train, one car for each counter, so when both sides have the same value the two trains end at the same place. Students color the cars for each part of 3 + 2 = 4 + 1, color cars on empty tracks, cross out the cars that leave in 9 − 3 = 4 + 2, add cars to finish a missing number, and write the equation two trains show. Every page comes in color and in black and white. Answer keys included.
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